AUSTIN, Texas — When Jonathan Denhart was discharged from the psychiatric ward at Austin Oaks Hospital last year, he expected to be back soon. For over 40 years, Denhart has cycled through rehabs, sober housing, mental health hospitals, and 12-step programs in an attempt to manage his bipolar disorder and substance use issues. Despite these efforts, nothing seemed to work.
The 60-year-old Austin resident struggled to find and keep a job, knowing that the temptations of the outside world would soon overwhelm him again. However, as he was about to leave the hospital, a staff member suggested he visit Austin Clubhouse to explore their vocational rehabilitation program.
“I had never heard about this, but they told me they might give me the structure and purpose I needed once I left,” Denhart told The Texas Tribune. “I had to give it a shot.”
Upon entering the small facility in Central Austin, located in a space rented from Hyde Park Christian Church, Denhart felt an immediate sense of acceptance. He met others dealing with their own mental health or substance abuse challenges and found a supportive community that understood his struggles.
Today, Denhart has been sober for over a year. He now works in the snack bar at Austin Clubhouse for about six hours a day, serving coffee and snacks. This work has provided him with a renewed sense of purpose that had been missing from his life.
Austin Clubhouse is part of a broader network of clubhouse programs that offer community and support for individuals with mental health issues. These programs help alleviate the pressure on overwhelmed Texas mental health hospitals by providing a supportive environment where individuals can find structure and purpose.
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